SME Eco-Tech: registrations for grants of up to 267,240 lei extended until 30 December

The Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MEDAT) has extended the registration deadline for the SME Eco-Tech programme to 30 December 2026, 20:00. The programme is funded from Swiss funds and is aimed at micro-enterprises and SMEs in trade, services and manufacturing. Companies can receive a grant of up to 40% of the investment value, capped at 267,240 lei, while the remainder, at least 60%, is covered by a loan from a partner bank. Registration is online, in order of submission.

In brief

• Programme: SME Eco-Tech – support for the green and digital transformation of SMEs, funded through the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme
• Authority: Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MEDAT)
• Beneficiaries: micro-enterprises and SMEs in trade, services and manufacturing, operating in an eligible sector
• Total budget: CHF 54,041,886, approximately 288.8 million lei, for 2025–2027; the ministry estimates that at least 800 SMEs from all eight development regions will be funded
• Value per project / intensity: a grant of up to 40%, but no more than 267,240 lei, plus a bank loan of at least 60%; the minimum project value is 668,100 lei
• Submission period: until 30 December 2026, 20:00, on the sme-ecotech.gov.ro platform
• Status: registration open, with allocation in order of submission

What has changed?

The registration deadline has been extended several times. In July, the ministry announced a deadline of 24 July 2026, later extended to 24 September 2026. In the announcement of 22 September 2026, the deadline was moved to 30 December 2026, 20:00.

In recent months, the access conditions have also been relaxed:

• July 2026: the programme, which initially targeted the manufacturing industry, was opened to micro-enterprises and to companies in trade and services.
• August 2026: through Order no. 1241 of 7 August 2026, published in the Official Gazette on 13 August 2026, the minimum turnover threshold of 2 million lei at 31 December 2024, previously required of micro-enterprises, was removed.

Who can apply?

Micro-enterprises, small enterprises and medium-sized enterprises that operate in trade, services or manufacturing and whose main CAEN code is eligible can apply. The ministry's published notices highlight a few conditions that applicants often miss:

• the main CAEN code must have been the same since 1 January 2022; companies that changed their main activity after this date are not eligible;
• the code must be authorised at the time of registration in the programme;
• funding is requested for a single main CAEN code.

In the July announcement, the ministry stated that micro-enterprises must have been established by 31 December 2021. Check this condition in the guide currently in force before registering.

Which investments can be funded?

The programme supports investments in digitalisation, energy efficiency and green technologies. At least 40% of the project's eligible costs must be green or digital equipment.

Battery storage systems are not funded separately. According to the ministry, a battery only stores energy and cannot be considered a technology that produces renewable energy. Batteries are eligible only as part of a complete production system, for example together with a photovoltaic installation.

How are the grant and the loan calculated?

The project must be worth at least 668,100 lei. The grant can cover up to 40%, but no more than 267,240 lei. At least 60% is financed through a loan from one of the partner banks selected by the ministry. The platform automatically calculates the grant and the loan for each budget line, depending on the co-financing percentage entered by the applicant. For payments in a currency other than the leu, the BNR exchange rate of 23 June 2025 is used.

What this means for your business

Our recommendation is not to leave your registration until December. The money is allocated in order of submission, and the extension of the deadline does not increase the budget. What matters is how quickly you submit a complete application.

• Talk to the bank first. At least 60% of the project comes from the loan, so without an agreement in principle from a partner bank the grant cannot be used. Go with price quotes and an indicative budget.
• Check your CAEN code history. The most common pitfall is a change of main CAEN code after 1 January 2022. Look at your ONRC extract before investing time in the project.
• Meet the 40% green or digital threshold. A project made up mostly of buildings or conventional equipment does not pass this condition.
• Who it suits: SMEs and, now, micro-enterprises without a high turnover that are planning investments of over 668,100 lei in equipment, automation, software or energy production for their own consumption, and that can take out a bank loan.

If you are not sure whether your company qualifies, start with the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline to register in the SME Eco-Tech programme?

Registration forms can be submitted until 30 December 2026, 20:00, online only, on the sme-ecotech.gov.ro platform. The money is allocated in order of submission, so the budget may run out before the deadline.

What is the maximum grant in SME Eco-Tech?

The grant covers up to 40% of the investment value, but no more than 267,240 lei. At least 60% is financed through a loan from a partner bank of the programme. The minimum project value is 668,100 lei.

Can a micro-enterprise with a low turnover apply?

Yes. Since August 2026, the minimum turnover threshold of 2 million lei for micro-enterprises has been removed by Order no. 1241 of 7 August 2026. The other conditions remain valid, including the one requiring the main CAEN code to be unchanged since 1 January 2022.

Can companies in trade and services apply?

Yes. Since July 2026, the programme has also been open to companies in trade and services, not only those in manufacturing, provided that the main activity is in an eligible sector.

Can battery energy storage alone be funded?

No. Battery storage systems are not eligible separately. They can be funded only as part of a system that produces energy, for example a photovoltaic installation.

Official sources

• MEDAT – The registration deadline for the SME Eco-Tech programme is extended to 30 December 2026
• MEDAT – SME Eco-Tech removes the minimum turnover threshold of 2 million lei for micro-enterprises
• MEDAT – Easing of access conditions: micro-enterprises and companies in trade and services can apply for funding
• MEDAT – Notices on the minimum and maximum values of the SME Eco-Tech programme
• MEDAT – SME Eco-Tech programme page

Information checked on 26 September 2026. Conditions may be amended by the managing authority — check the guide in force before submitting.